Some people still associate mental health issues with being something younger adults face. Almost 5% of older adults have a severe mental illness. Depression is one of the most common. Despite mental illness affecting all ages, older adults are far less likely to speak about it or ask for help. In fact, almost half don’t get the treatment they need. Do your mom and dad show signs of mental illness? What’s being done to help? Is Remote Patient Monitoring something you wish to consider?
Mental Illness Is Often Misunderstood
Depression is the most common mental illness in older adults due to changing health, lifestyles, and abilities. More than a quarter of older adults live alone. Close to half of women 75 or older live alone. Being alone can increase anxiety. What if you fall and cannot get to a phone? When is the next time anyone will stop by to check on you?
That situation can feed into anxiety and depression. There’s also a higher chance of having at least one chronic health condition after 65. And chronic illness increases the chances of being depressed.
While depression is not surprising in older adults, it’s often misunderstood. Key indicators of depression include insomnia, which also happens as a side effect of older adults’ medications. Mood swings, irritability, and changes in appetite are also indicators.
What Can You Do To Help?
Because the signs of depression are linked to many other issues, doctors don’t always first think of depression as a factor. If you are convinced depression is a factor, ask for a consultation with an expert in mental health for your mom and dad.
Depression won’t go away on its own. Your parents may need help venting sadness, fear, and frustration. They may need to take medications or find that therapy is more helpful. No matter which treatment path is best, support them.
There will be days that your parents are down and want to talk about it. They may opt to shut you out on other days. Don’t push. Make it clear you’re there for them and will help out where needed without being demanding. One way to do this is by checking in as needed and giving them space, too.
It’s Time for Remote Patient Monitoring Services
You can have a remote caregiver reach out to your parents frequently to gauge how they’re feeling. If something seems off, the remote caregiver alerts the contacts on a list of family members or friends to have you stop by and visit your parents.
Arrange remote patient monitoring services for check-in. With remote patient monitoring, trained professional checks on your parents to see if they’re doing okay and not in need of supportive care.
The remote patient monitoring specialist reminds and ensures your parents take their prescribed medications. If additional care needs arise, the specialist makes arrangements and keeps you in the loop. Call to learn more.
Amelia Home Care provides traditional Remote Patient Monitoring in Westchester, NY, along with virtual caregiving and remote patient monitoring. Our service area includes; Brooklyn, Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island, and Westchester County. Call today (929) 333-3955
Sources:
https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/d7/priv/pep19-olderadults-smi.pdf
We proudly provide non-medical home care services to individuals with disabilities, injuries, difficulties with mobility, or illnesses. Our team is composed of highly trained and competent staff members who are dedicated and experts in delivering home care services in the comfort of our client’s home.
Through our personalized care plan, we can give you the needed care services that are all intended to cater to your unique personal and health needs. With us, we ensure around-the-clock services and supervision to help you achieve optimum health and wellness.
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